I'm looking at a cello made by Jean-Francois Tallis in Cannet, France. There is a luthier Phillippe Tallis in Cannet, but no Jean-Francois. Are they related? Any information about Jean-Francois Tallis as a cello luthier?

I don't know this luthier, but I have already seen a luthier named Patrick Martin who rent me a cello he made himself, and this cello was signed Henri Martin. Does somebody know why French luthiers change their first name ???

Ah, a mystery...
One of the folks here on the forum was kind enough to call Tallis to inquire about the cello I just purchased. Turns out he doesn't make cellos and doesn't know anyone named Jean Francois Tallis!? Well I know some folks try to fake an instrument with a famous maker, but I've not heard of using a little-known maker before...

In any case the cello is in transit so I don't have it just yet, but it should be here on the 24th. I'll let you know what I find out when I get it.

Sorry for the delay in getting my notes up on this cello.
Well I received the cello via DHL on the 24th of December as promised. It arrived in a box with an image of a cello on it, but was a little beat-up. Fortunately the cello itself was in a cello case (cheap fabric covered foam), but it was fine - no problems except for one I'll get to in a minute.
The cello was shipped bridge down so I carefully put the bridge on (having done something like this some 30 years ago...) tuned it up and played some. The sound was very good and felt that this was going to work just fine. The strings are Larson on A,D and Spirocore on G,D. The bridge is a Belgian, but it also had a much thicker French bridge.
The following week I took it in to my local shop to have them take a quick look at it and they said it could use some setup work. The bridge was too high especially on the A side and the nut needed to be shaped. Also the soundpost might need to be moved ever so slightly. I was concerned that it might have shifted in transit, but it was ok. They suggested that I wait a month or so to bring it in for repair to allow it to settle from the trip and to the new climate.
Now the only problem I found is the bow that was in the case was not well covered and scratched some of the varnish on the upper bout. Repairable, but shouldn't have happened in the first place if the bow had been wrapped in something. I emailed the seller, but haven't heard back from him yet even though it has been 10 days. I hope to have him pay for the repair.
All in all I'm very happy with the cello and am enjoying playing again!

Borgnes a écrit :Now the only problem I found is the bow that was in the case was not well covered and scratched some of the varnish on the upper bout. Repairable, but shouldn't have happened in the first place if the bow had been wrapped in something. I emailed the seller, but haven't heard back from him yet even though it has been 10 days. I hope to have him pay for the repair.

... did u get any news from the seller eventually ? Did he pay for something ? If not please tell us his name !